Elegant, sophisticated, refined.

[Synchronicity]

Elegant, sophisticated, refined.  All words which cannot be applied to this shambles I created tonight!

I had everything set up and aligned last week and, though there wasn't much clear sky it all worked like a dream.  Last night I'd get at best 5 or six frames shot then APT just kept reporting 'Still waiting image from the camera - 30s'.
Much research led me to conclude that the issue was likely to be related to cabling, probably my USB connection to the camera.

The image is what happened when I tore my power distribution and USB to Ethernet hub out of their nice, dry, secure box and positioned them close enough that I could use the USB lead supplied with the camera - a new ASI 183MC cooled.

The rig is working like a dream just now, no hangups or anything and I'm getting nice images of clouds where ClearOutside told me there'd be stars 😒

All being well I'll make something I can mount using the polarscope cover hole and end up with just a single power and data cable feeding up to it - that might be tidy if not elegant 😉

All the best

Michael

[Starflyer]

Nice pier.

[Marvin Jenkins]

Just leave it messy. If it works then what’s the issue. Add some spider webs, a few hibernating snails, no harm no foul. As long as you don’t end up with a birds nest int the light shield you are good to go.

And yes!!! A nice pier.

[NGC 1502]

Elegant, sophisticated, refined.

For a moment I thought you were referring to me😁

[michael8554]

"You're so vain, you probably think this (post) is about you............."   😆

Michael

 

[Synchronicity]

Thanks folks

The pier was my own design but based on several I found during research.  It was built by a local blacksmith.  The electronics are currently all in a Rittal steel box - expensive but very robust.

This is what I'm currently printing as a tidy up solution.  The 5 holes are for parallel connected aviation style plug connectors for the power and the box at the back is my USB to Ethernet hub.  All being well this will sit in place of the polar scope cover and I'll just have one power and one data lead coming off the scope.

Michael

[NGC 1502]

7 hours ago, michael8554 said:

"You're so vain, you probably think this (post) is about you............."   😆

Michael

 

I am totally gutted it’s not.  Given time I hope to get over it😁

[callisto]

Looks fine to me.

(Memo to myself... must get some spaghetti for the spag bol) 😁

[Synchronicity]

I'm quite chuffed at how this is shaping up.  This was the 'first fit' after reprinting the base.  I changed the direction of the slots to allow for tying cables if needed and modified the scope cover fitting to add a bulge and make cut-outs.  It now fits securely and there is no danger of it slipping about or falling off, even if it gets a bit of force applied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first full set-up with everything connected, powered up and tested.

All power cables are cut to size but I still need to tidy up the camera USB3 lead.  The big ugly lump is my 5m long EQDIR cable.  I've bought a D type connector to shorten it but haven't quite plucked up the courage.  I know I can make the connector up fine but it's the worry that I decide I need to redesign again, need a longer cable and end up yet another £35 out of pocket!

Annoyingly, the hub is so shallow that I can't easily unplug the ethernet cable from it.  I ran a cable underground from the pier to my 'office' so this should be a short lead that could be unplugged at the other end but the cable has failed so I need to use a long, robust cable instead.
Once I decide the exact design of the top section I'll probably make a stage to lift the hub up and allow easier access.

All the best

Michael

 

[Shibby]

Every time I open up my power/hub box all the cables get shoved back in an ever increasingly disorganised jumble!